rwu90 Wire - good for underground feed?

[Abeo]

I'm eventually going to run a new feed to my garage to upgrade my 15A 120V service to ~60A 240V, and I got a happy surprise today.

I was given a partial spool of 6 gauge RWU90, which I estimate should be enough to run 3 conductors to the garage. It seems like (from what I've read) this is direct bury cable, suitable for my needs. Am I on the right track? I see different amperage values based on free span and temp, but a derate to 55 amps in buried service or conduit. Plus something about CEC Rule 4-004 for underground service derate.

Currently, I have one 12-2 feeding the garage, and one 14-3 (for a light) in the 1.25" pvc conduit. Is it possible to run 3 6 gauge plus a ground in the conduit? This is provided the 1980's wire lube hasn't turned to glue and I can actually get the old wire out......

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I dont know CEC code only NEC. However, the CEC and NEC are similiar in many regards.

Having said that, under the NEC u cant have more than one feed to a building. So u may have to abandon the 14-3 and 12-2 lines...

 

[stikman56]

I'd call your local power company to see what it needs to be. I'm dealing with mine right now for temp. power and the permanent power requirements of the home we're building. He's telling me what the wire needs to be for each.

 

[Abeo]

I dont know CEC code only NEC. However, the CEC and NEC are similiar in many regards.

Having said that, under the NEC u cant have more than one feed to a building. So u may have to abandon the 14-3 and 12-2 lines...

CEC says the same thing, if I recall correctly. I'd be getting rid of the 12-2 and 14-3 for sure. Just hoping that I don't have to dig a trench and that I can use the existing conduit.

 

[MTW]

That wire has heavy insulation for direct burial (.080 in) but you should be able to install 4 pieces in 1.25" conduit without too many issues, provided there's no excessive bends in the run.

Take a look at the footnotes on this cut sheet. For residential services and feeders the #6 is rated for 60A use.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CC0QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.southwire.com%2FProductCatalog%2FXTEInterfaceServlet%3FcontentKey%3Dprodcatsheetrnew16&ei=0QiPVZeVGIXTsAWbsYG4DA&usg=AFQjCNFml50s-PJds_9EupIWoT8i0tu8LQ&bvm=bv.96783405,d.b2w

MTW Ω

 

[Abeo]

Oh, that is excellent!
So it looks like I have almost exactly 150', and the run to the garage is about 45', making my best guess at the depth. Will be close, won't know until I take the 12-2 out of service

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Don't forget you have to have a ground wire also, in addition to the three conductors.

 

[tfi racing]

To comply you should use a white #6 neutral and a green #8(larger is fine but unnecessary) ground with your two #6 hots,but if green and white tape is all you can find...

 

[Abeo]

Yup, I think in my area there is no need for a grounding rod in the garage, and that it's all done through the house. I was wondering if I could mark one wire black, one red, and one white... but I see they sell white (and green, but not black or red) 6 gauge locally by the foot, so I might just buy white and green wire and know I have more than enough of all (so I have room to place the panel where I want)

Thanks for the help, everyone!